Concert Review: Combo Chimbita Show The Future Of Cumbia In Three’s Brewing

When you cannot go to the tropics, who else can bring them to you? Music! Combo Chimbita made a little, Brooklyn Brewery feel like San Juan, Puerto Rico had run over a truckload of electric guitars and psychedelic visions. Of all the combinations and infusions psychedelia has had the pleasure of mustering, trop-psych has to be KING! of which Combo Chimbita are the royal family.

Psychedelia is known as a visionary music stemming, in part, from a the 1970’s/ 1960’s drug culture. Hence, psych-rock is a guaranteed genre for igniting mental stimulation, but in adding tropical sounds and vibes, Combo Chimbita makes sure your mind goes somewhere warm and enlightening. They, LITERALLY, have found a bridge between the earthy tones of Cumbia music with the synth-rays of futurism, of which lead songstress Carolina Oliveros feels like she is part Amazonian Queen/ part Star Trek Captain. With a blue wrap and afro-beat style, she danced as if she was summoning spirits and taking them to Jupiter. Her ability to be a presence encompassing the past and future of humanity made her dynamic to watch; just as a person. There are many things that make a “leader”, but one key ingredient is to have an enigmatic presence. You do not know “where” to put Oliveros, which IS exactly why she is a star, and feels comparable to other female, rock artists like, Beth Ditto and Brittany Howard, only because she is a strong voice with an unwavering ferocity. NO SONG makes her sound like she is about to keel over. Instead, she appears like a roaring fire over instrumentals that twinkle and teethe like stars and teeth falling from the sky. There is something “biting” about Combo Chimbita’s sound, but it is a “bite”, in essence, to make you leap awake, and walk with them through glorious suns of their rhythm. (You see, I told you psychedelic music can make you imaginative!)

I am really hopeful for Combo Chimbita because they truly are different and good. I have always said that artists who rise the most are artists that are the least like anyone. It may be scary to not find anyone like yourself in the room, but that is only an opportunity for you to own it. Combo Chimbita OWNED Three’s Brewing. For More Information On Combo Chimbita Click Here.